High blood pressure is very common but can't be seen or felt. Many people with high blood pressure don't know they have it. The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to keep track of your numbers. You can get your blood pressure checked at your doctor's office, at home, or at your local pharmacy. It's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Defining High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is defined by 2 numbers (systolic and diastolic). The systolic or top number measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The diastolic or bottom number measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats.

The normal blood pressure varies with age, usually increasing as we get older. In general, systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) less than 80 mm Hg are considered normal and prehypertension is a SBP120-139 mm Hg or DPB 80-89 mm Hg. Abnormal levels include:

Stage 1 hypertension—SBP 140-159 mm Hg or DPB 90-99 mm Hg

Stage 2 hypertension—SBP more than 160 mm Hg or DBP more than 100 mm Hg

In people with diabetes or kidney disease, the targets numbers are lower. Check with your doctor to see what your target range should be.

Common Risk Factors

There is no single cause for high blood pressure, but there are several factors that can increase your risk.

Some risk factors for high blood pressure include:

Age: middle-aged or elderly—onset generally happens at 20-50 years, but likelihood increases with age

Risk factors don't mean you will get high blood pressure, but that you have an increased chance of developing it. Fortunately, there are also factors that can help you prevent high blood pressure or lower your blood pressure if you already have elevated blood pressure.

Lifestyle Guidelines to Prevent or Reduce High Blood Pressure

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s recommendations to help prevent or lower high blood pressure include:

Losing weight if you are overweight

Increasing levels of physical activity—Aim for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week.

Another approach endorsed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is use of the
DASH diet. This is a special low-salt diet which has been shown effective in both preventing and treating high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major player in heart disease and stroke. Protect yourself and know your numbers. The next time you take a trip to the pharmacy, check your blood pressure. If you do it on a regular basis and follow the lifestyle guidelines, you may be able to avoid future problems.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

How can high blood pressure be prevented? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/prevention. Updated September 10, 2015. Accessed August 2, 2016.

Preventing high blood pressure: Healthy living habits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/what%5Fyou%5Fcan%5Fdo.htm. Updated July 7, 2014. Accessed August 2, 2016.